National Awards Distributed and Coconut Day Celebrated

Coconut Development Board has celebrated World Coconut Day and Distribution of National
Awards 2010 on Friday, 2
nd
September at NEDFI Convention Centre, Guwahati, Assam at 10.30 am.
Shri.Tarun Gogoi, Honble Chief Minister of Assam inaugurated the function. Shri.Nilomoni Sen Deka,
Honble Minister of Agriculture, Horticulture and Food Processing, Parliamentary Affairs, Govt. of Assam
presided over the function. Shri. Akon Bora Honble Minister of Social Welfare and Jails, Govt. of Assam
was the Guests of Honour.

The Board has recognized 15 persons and institutions that have excelled in coconut farming, industry
and other coconut related activities. Honourable Chief Minister of Assam Shri. Taun Gogoi distributed the
awards in the function.
While delivering the inaugural address, the Chief Minister said, there is lot of scope for coconut
development in the State. If the Coconut Development Board, extends all possible help, Assam will become
the top most coconut producer in India. The farmer who received award as a best farmer from this State, will
play a role model in this State. If all possible marketing facilities are provided, to the farmers of these North
Eastern State and in this way the cultivation of coconut can also be increased. He also stressed the need to
utilize the resources and focus in plantation industry. With the latest technologies, he told that Assam can go
ahead to strengthen coconut plantation in large way in this State. He also stressed on value addition to
augment farmers income. He suggested to utilize all parts of the coconut by using the latest coconut
processing technology.
The Minister also distributed the National Awards instituted by the Board for various categories like
the Farmer, Processor, Research Worker, Craftsman, NGO/ Co operative Society, Exporter and the
Development Worker.
Shri.S.C.Veerabhadrappa from Chithradurga District, Karnataka received the award for the best
coconut farmer under National Best Farmer category. Shri.Anant Nana Raut ,Mahim Road, Palghar,
Maharashtra received the award for the best coconut farmer, South West and Shri. Pankaj Das, Hajo,
Kamrup District, Assam, received the award for the best coconut farmer, North East. Shri.
K.Balasubramaniya,Kumbala, Kasaragod, Kerala and Shri.Kondana Chandrasekhar Gatty, Mangalore,
Karnataka received the special awards for the best coconut farmer. M/s. Marico Limited, Kanjikode,
Palakkad received the award for the Best Coconut Processor, Conventional Products. Under Non
Conventional Products, M/s. Active Char Product Pvt Limited, Binanipuram, Ernakulam received the
award. M/s.Silver Oil Mills, Malappuram, Kerala and M/s. Alfa Enterprises, Malappuram, Kerala received
the special award for the Best Coconut Processor under Conventional and Non-Conventional Products
respectively. Dr.T. Rajamohan, Professor and Head, Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Kerala received
the award for the best research worker for finding new applications and uses for coconut /coconut by-
products. Shri.Tapas Pal, Chanduli PO, Burdwan District, West Bengal received the award for the Best
Craftsman. Shri. Parmanand Janardan Pilankar, Ratnagiri Taluk, Maharashtra received the special award for
the best craftsman. M/s. Subicsha Coconut producer Society Co. Ltd, Nadavannur, Kozhikode, Kerala
received the award for the Best NGO / Cooperative Society. Shri. Binesh V R, Agriculture Officer,
Kadakkavoor, Thiruvanathapuram received the award for the Best Development Worker and M/s. Indo
German Carbons, 57/3 Old Mosque Road, Industrial Development Area, Edayar, Binanipuram, Ernakulam
received the award for the Best Exporter of Coconut Products.
Shri. Akon Bora, Minister for Social welfare and Jails, Government of Assam was the guest of
honour. In his presidential address, Shri. Nilomoni Sen Deka, Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture and
Food Processing welcomed the gathering and sought whole hearted support from all concerned and also
exhorted the audience to work together to make India the best in coconut production, productivity and
export in the world. Shri. T K Jose IAS, Chairman Coconut Development Board delivered the welcome
address. In his welcome address he stated that the Board in the first time is celebrating World Coconut Day
and Award distribution function in North East. He further stated that, this is an indication that the Board is
giving more importance to this area. Assam is having more productivity than Kerala and 14 districts in the
State are having highest productivity than the national average. The Board has chosen three themes for the
current years World Coconut Day. Bringing India in first position in productivity, processing and value
addition to get better revenue and increasing export. He solicited whole hearted cooperation from all
departments in the State to work together and bring Assam in the forefront. Shri.Sugato Ghose, Director,
Coconut Development Board has proposed vote of thanks.
A Coconut Festival has also organized in connection with the celebration. Manufacturers of coconut
products, industrialists, farmers have participated in the exhibition.